OREANDA-NEWS. In a ceremony at Lufthansa’s acclaimed First Class Terminal at Frankfurt International Airport, Lufthansa received the coveted International Five Star Diamond Award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences (AAHS). In fact the Academy honoured three outstanding accomplishments of Lufthansa’s premium service portfolio: the Lufthansa First Class onboard its intercontinental fleet, the Lufthansa First Class Terminal in Frankfurt and the Lufthansa First Class Lounge at New York’s JFK International Airport.

Joseph Cinque, President and CEO of the AAHS said: "The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences is renowned worldwide for awarding excellence in the global travel and luxury services sector via our International Star Diamond Award exclusively on Five Star establishments. Lufthansa’s unequaled commitment to its First Class services and onboard hospitality, its achievements and true quality is more than impressive and deserves the International Five Star Diamond Award."

Jens Bischof, Chief Commercial Officer at Lufthansa German Airlines added: “Today marks another milestone for Lufthansa on our way to becoming the industry's leading airline for premium travel. Our customers are appreciating the numerous service upgrades we have invested in, both on board and on the ground, with the industry's leading organizations taking note of our accomplishments. Today, we are very excited to receive this award from the Academy which has evolved into an international powerhouse network that values the very highest quality and hospitality.”

In 2005 Lufthansa opened its First Class Terminal at Frankfurt Airport which is still the world’s only dedicated terminal of this kind. Lufthansa has a long standing commitment of providing exclusive premium services, giving its customers the freedom of ultimate relaxation and peace of mind whether on board or on the ground. Worldwide 60 state-of-the-art lounges, with a total space of more than 45,000 square meters, invite customers to relax and escape the busy atmosphere at airports, before and after their flights.

Lufthansa’s new First Class, onboard its long-haul fleet has repeatedly received highest ratings in customer surveys. The generously proportioned, open design and exclusive ambience, with simple distinct lines and subtle colors creates an appealing and inviting atmosphere. The First Class is not only offering the widest seat in the industry but also encompasses a vast number of on board service initiatives featuring carefully selected wines and dishes created by top chefs, air humidification systems or noise absorbing interiors as well as a Porsche and Mercedes limousine services.

The AAHS was originally formed as an International Restaurant Rating Bureau in 1949 in Chicago, Illinois. Forty years later, in 1989, it relocated its headquarters from Chicago to New York City, where it is still based today. Today, The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences is the only organization n that awards excellence in the luxury travel service sector worldwide, and the Academy’s International Star Diamond Award is the only award program that recognizes excellence on a global level. The Academy expanded the breadth of recognition of the International Star Diamond Award beyond Five Star Hotels and Restaurants to include Resorts, Airlines, Cruise Lines, Spas, Golf Clubs, Destinations, Chefs and Luxury Products.

The "International Star Diamond Award" caps a successful week of accolades for the airline. At the beginning of the week, Lufthansa was awarded the title of “Europe’s Leading Airline” at the World Travel Awards. Two months earlier Lufthansa was voted “Best European Airline in the Middle East” during the Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2013 in Dubai. Earlier this summer, the carrier was honored to receive the title of “Best Western European Airline” and “Best Transatlantic Airline” at the World Airline Awards in Paris.